Element carrier and method

ABSTRACT

An element carrier, such as a sleeping bag carrier, includes an elongate portion having a length sufficient to extend about the sleeping bag when it is in a rolled up state. The elongate portion having a first end with a first portion of a locking mechanism, and a second end with a second portion of the locking mechanism which mates with the first portion to secure the first end and the second end together about the sleeping bag. The carrier includes a handle attached to the elongate portion for carrying the elongate portion secured about the sleeping bag. A method for carrying a sleeping bag. The method includes the steps of placing an elongate portion about the sleeping bag. There is the step of locking a first end of the elongate portion with a second end of the elongate portion to secure the elongate portion about the sleeping bag. There is the step of lifting the sleeping bag with a handle attached to the elongate portion. Preferably, there is the step of unlocking the first end from the second end which releases the elongate portion from the sleeping bag.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to an element carrier, such as a sleeping bag carrier. More specifically, the present invention is related to a sleeping bag carrier that has an elongate portion which extends about the sleeping bag when it is in a rolled up state, and a handle attached to the elongate portion for caring the elongate portion secured about the sleeping bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A rolled up sleeping bag, for that matter, any rolled up element, is generally not a convenient article to carry. After it is rolled up, usually ropes are required to maintain it in the rolled up state. In addition, the rolled up sleeping bag is usually cumbersome and not necessarily easily carried. The present invention allows any sleeping bag to be maintained in a rolled, ready to carry, state; and that allows the sleeping bag to be easily carried when it is moved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an element carrier, such as a sleeping bag carrier. The carrier comprises an elongate portion having a length sufficient to extend about the sleeping bag when it is in a rolled up state. The elongate portion having a first end with a first portion of a locking mechanism, and a second end with a second portion of the locking mechanism which mates with the first portion to secure the first end and the second end together about the sleeping bag. The carrier comprises a handle attached to the elongate portion for carrying the elongate portion secured about the sleeping bag.

The present invention pertains to a method for carrying an element, such as a sleeping bag. The method comprises the steps of placing an elongate portion about the sleeping bag. There is the step of locking a first end of the elongate portion with a second end of the elongate portion to secure the elongate portion about the sleeping bag. There is the step of lifting the sleeping bag with a handle attached to the elongate portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exposed side of a carrier of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the under side of the carrier.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier with a rolled up object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several views, and more specifically to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, there is shown an element 12 carrier 10, such as a sleeping bag 14 carrier 10. The carrier 10 comprises an elongate portion 16 having a length sufficient to extend about the sleeping bag 14 when it is in a rolled up state. The elongate portion 16 having a first end 18 with a first portion 20 of a locking mechanism 22, and a second end 24 with a second portion 26 of the locking mechanism 22 which mates with the first portion 20 to secure the first end 18 and the second end 24 together about the sleeping bag 14. The carrier 10 comprises a handle 28 attached to the elongate portion 16 for carrying the elongate portion 16 secured about the sleeping bag 14.

Preferably, the first portion 20 includes hooks and the second portion 26 includes loops 32 that engage with the hooks to hold the first end 18 and second end 24 together. The carrier 10 preferably has a shoulder strap 34 attached to the elongate portion 16 for carrying the elongate portion 16 secured about the sleeping bag 14. Preferably, the elongate portion 16 has an inner side 36 with an anti-slip material 38. The elongate portion 16 preferably has an exposed side 40 with molded PVC 42. Preferably, the elongate portion 16 is essentially rectangularly shaped. The carrier 10 preferably includes a pocket 44. Preferably, the carrier 10 includes a speed clip 46 for attaching an object.

The present invention pertains to a method for carrying an element 12, such as a sleeping bag 14. The method comprises the steps of placing an elongate portion 16 about the sleeping bag 14. There is the step of locking a first end 18 of the elongate portion 16 with a second end 24 of the elongate portion 16 to secure the elongate portion 16 about the sleeping bag 14. There is the step of lifting the sleeping bag 14 with a handle 28 attached to the elongate portion 16. Preferably, there is the step of unlocking the first end 18 from the second end 24 which releases the elongate portion 16 from the sleeping bag 14.

The element 12 to be carried by the carrier 10 does not have to be made of loose material such as plastic, paper or cloth, that can be rolled up. The element 12 can simply be of a size that is conducive for the carrier 10 to be placed about it.

In the preferred embodiment, the sleeping bag 14 carrier 10 was designed to address a simple problem of keeping any sleeping bag 14 in a rolled, ready to carry, position. The sleeping bag 14 carrier 10 is an elongate piece of material which has an anti-slip material 38 on the inner side 36 and a combination of woven material and molded PVC 42 on the exposed side 40. The sleeping bag 14 carrier 10 wraps around a rolled sleeping bag 14 and secures it in place with Velcro and, or any other securing method such as speed clips 46, hooks 30, buckles, etc. The Velcro loops 32 are on the front overlapping portion and the Velcro hooks are on the underside as such that the Velcro hooks are not interfering with or damaging the sleeping bag 14 material. The sleeping bag 14 carrier 10 also employs a carrying device on the top exposed side 40 which may include a handle 28, shoulder strap 34, shoulder harness(es) or a specialized buckle made to attach to other soft good pieces so that the sleeping bag 14 carrier 10 may be transported in unison with another soft piece. The sleeping bag 14 carrier 10 may employ the use of other features such as: stitched webbing loops 32 for hooking on small travel or camping accessories and, or zippered pockets 44 for small item storage. In the event that the Velcro fails, a loose fitting plastic clip connecting the two ends of the elongate portion 16 to keep them from completely detaching can be used. A small elastic expansion piece can be part of the elongate piece to allow the elongate portion 16 to expand to fit slightly larger items. The handle 28 can include shoulder straps 34, speed clips 46, or any device to allow the sleeping bag 14 to be carried can be used.

Materials for the Sleeping Bag 14 Carrier 10

-   -   600 Denier Polyester Fabric with water resistant coating     -   Diamond texture roller formed PVC 42 (used as a moisture         barrier, anti slip and abrasion protection).     -   1½ inch nylon webbing     -   1 inch nylon webbing     -   Velcro     -   ABS speed clips 46     -   Molded carry handles     -   PVC 42 textured piping     -   {fraction (1/2)} inch binding tape     -   PVC 42 three color molded logo

Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be described by the following claims. 

1. A sleeping bag carrier comprising: an elongate portion having a length sufficient to extend about the sleeping bag when it is in a rolled up state, the elongate portion having a first end with a first portion of a locking mechanism, and a second end with a second portion of the locking mechanism which mates with the first portion to secure the first end and the second end together about the sleeping bag; and a handle attached to the elongate portion for carrying the elongate portion secured about the sleeping bag.
 2. A carrier as described in claim 1 wherein the first portion includes hooks and the second portion includes loops that engage with the hooks to hold the first end and second end together.
 3. A carrier has described in claim 2 including a shoulder strap attached to the elongate portion for carrying the elongate portion secured about the sleeping bag.
 4. A carrier as described in claim 3 wherein the elongate portion has an inner side with an anti-slip material.
 5. A carrier as described in claim 4 wherein the elongate portion as an exposed side with molded PVC.
 6. A carrier as described in claim 5 wherein the elongate portion is essentially rectangularly shaped.
 7. A carrier as described in claim 6 including a pocket.
 8. A carrier as described in claim 7 including a speed clip for attaching an object.
 9. A method for carrying a sleeping bag comprising the steps of: placing an elongate portion about the sleeping bag; locking a first end of the elongate portion with a second end of the elongate portion to secure the elongate portion about the sleeping bag; and lifting the sleeping bag with a handle attached to the elongate portion.
 10. A method as described in claim 9 including unlocking the first end from the second end which releases the elongate portion from the sleeping bag.
 11. A rolled up element carrier comprising: an elongate portion having a length sufficient to extend about the element when it is in a rolled up state, the elongate portion having a first end with a first portion of a locking mechanism, and a second end with a second portion of the locking mechanism which mates with the first portion to secure the first end and the second end together about the element; and a handle attached to the elongate portion for carrying the elongate portion secured about the element.
 12. A method for carrying a rolled up element comprising the steps of: placing an elongate portion about the rolled up element; locking a first end of the elongate portion with a second end of the elongate portion to secure the elongate portion about the rolled up element; and lifting the rolled up element with a handle attached to the elongate portion. 